“Immunotherapy is the only treatment modality for allergic rhinitis that modifies the underlying allergic immune process itself to reduce the allergic reactions,” Dr. Leatherman said. “Pharmacotherapy uses compounds to block the effects of the allergic reaction without modifying the immune system allergic problem itself.”
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July 2015Dr. Lin agreed, stating, “Immunotherapy is an important treatment for allergic rhinitis because it is the only treatment that changes the natural history of the disease by increasing tolerance to allergens. In fact, studies show that the positive effects … persist for many years after stopping immunotherapy [Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010;126:969-975].” She added that immunotherapy has also been shown to decrease the chance that new allergic sensitivities will develop.—KA